A late evening visit to watch over No.6 tank to see the dusk build up of ducks. The whole flooded tank was alive with birds. The sound of whistling Wigeon revealed 7 birds along with 340 Common Teal, 200 Tufted Duck, 12 Shoveler, 50 Common Shelduck, 30 Mallard and 21 Gadwall. Other birds of note were 40 Coot, 21 Moorhen, ! Water Rail and 9 Ruff.
A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew over while the usual Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were active this evening. Earlier in the day Steve O’Connell watched a Hobby hawking Dragonflies over the pipeline gate on No.1 tank. He said it was “half an hour of magic!”.
There were large numbers of Black-headed Gull flying high over the marsh and the Mersey estuary presumably feeding on emerging airborne ants. High over the marsh Swallow and House Martin were gathering to feast on the flying bug bonanza while Starling are gathering in small parties and I guess it wont be long before they gather for their roosts here.
Other birds of note included 18 Raven heading south to roost in Wales.
Observer and images: WSM.
